Speaking recently on the 67 Hail Hail YouTube show, Hamish Carlton called for Celtic to make a move for Eddie Howe.
Following the club’s 2-2 draw with Hibernian on Saturday, a result which was salvaged by a late Diego Laxalt equaliser, Celtic find themselves 11 points adrift of Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers, albeit with two games in hand on their Old Firm rivals.
While Steven Gerrard’s side remain unbeaten, having dropped just four points so far this season, as well as scoring 41 goals and conceding a mere three times in the league, the Bhoys have dropped nine points, scoring 34 goals and conceding 13.
And, considering the fact that winning the title this season would be a historic achievement for Celtic, as it would be their 10th consecutive Scottish crown, pressure has been mounting on Neil Lennon.
Speaking on the 67 Hail Hail YouTube show, Carlton called for the club to replace Lennon with former Bournemouth manager, Howe, stating his belief that the 42-year-old would command the respect of the Celtic players.
He said: “As time goes on, Eddie Howe is becoming the number one candidate that I would love to see Celtic push the boat out for, if and when Neil Lennon leaves the club.
“He took Bournemouth from basically the bottom of the English Football League, certainly near the bottom of League Two, when he first joined, all the way to the English Premier League in two different spells, before leaving after their relegation to the Championship last season.
“For me, he’s a young, aspiring manager. He’s young but he’s experienced, he would command the respect of the players from what he’s done. His teams play good football.
“People will say it’s an unrealistic expectation, but if this board can tempt Brendan Rodgers, who was in a similar position to Eddie Howe, then surely they could do the same with Howe.
“I don’t think it’s massively unrealistic, I think he’s a manager who’d come in and transform the club, given his nature and his charisma. [He is] my number one candidate, make it happen Celtic.”
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TIF Thoughts on Hamish Carlton’s calls for Celtic to appoint Eddie Howe…
From Carlton’s comments, it is clear that he is very much for the idea of the club making a move to replace Lennon with Howe.
And, we have to say, considering the job the 42-year-old did at Bournemouth, keeping the side in the Premier League for an impressive five seasons, in our opinion, Howe has proven that he is more than capable of taking on a challenge, and his experience in the English top-flight could prove very beneficial to Celtic, as was the case when Brendan Rodgers was given the job.